Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check: a multidisciplinary health promotion experience for South Carolina lawmakers

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has conducted a Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check for the past 4 years. The primary purpose of the event, held in the lobby of the State Capitol Building, is to increase the awareness of State legislators about the leading causes of death in South Carolina and about community-based health promotion services that are available. The health check emphasizes the relationship between modifiable risk factors and the development of heart disease, cancer, and stroke. These legislative events are organized by State health department staff members, but they are conducted by local health department personnel from throughout South Carolina. This approach is intended to build the capacity of these local staff members to communicate more effectively with their legislators and to carry out similar events at the county or community level. The health check is staffed by a trained multidisciplinary team, including persons designated as legislative liaisons. The liaison people contact legislators prior to the event and provide them with health status data specific to their respective districts. The Legislative Cardiovascular Health Checks have been attended by members of the General Assembly and their staffs, members of the Governor's staff and the Lieutenant Governor's office, and other employees of the State Capitol. An average of 380 people have participated annually. Screening activities have included blood pressure and blood cholesterol checks, with risk factor counseling and educational materials provided to each screened participant. During the past year, activities were expanded to include a variety of interactive exhibits related to nutrition, exercise, and smoking. Feedback from participants has been positive. The Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check is encouraged and supported by the upper management of the State health department and is now established as an annual event of mutual benefit to legislators and to State and local health department staff members.